The National University System was established in 2001 to meet the emerging challenges and demands of education in the 21st century. The System is uniquely aligned to connect a diverse population of students to a network of innovative educational programs that are relevant to their lives, careers, and the marketplace and are delivered in a format that respects competing life priorities.

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Master of Science in Organizational Leadership

The mission of the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) program is to prepare diverse learners to become effective, change-oriented leaders in an international society. The program uses distinctive and challenging curriculum that integrates theory with practice, personal success with service to others, and information technology with creativity, empathy, and democracy.

The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership program prepares individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests into change-oriented leaders. As every industry and profession needs effective and ethical leadership, employers are increasingly targeting candidates that possess the capacity to take initiative, build and cultivate strong teams, orchestrate conflict, and promote innovation to serve organizational purposes. Using a collaborative, integral and holistic approach, this degree builds the skill set to think critically and analytically, learn communication skills that serve a diverse population, and develop the ability to lead change in increasingly global/complex environments. Drawing from work/life experiences, students will learn to frame problems, use systems thinking and plan strategic interventions. Students will acquire knowledge, skills and abilities through experiential learning and critical analysis.

Program Learning Outcomes

Distinguish between multiple approaches to exercising leadership in order to harness collective talent, promote innovation and confront complex issues within organizations.

Interpret organizational dynamics, group dynamics and engage in systems thinking in order to promote the development of a learning organization capable of orchestrating conflict, creating innovation, and adaptation.

Evaluate ethical issues and aid organizational members in creating ethical culture appropriate to the organizational and/or global arena that supports operating in environments of diversity, uncertainty and unpredictability.

Distinguish between the functions of authority or power and the understanding of leadership and be able to apply diverse leadership skills, utilize frameworks in order to serve organizational purposes.

Utilize emerging technology, presentation skills and communication both in face to face and virtual environments.

Utilize dialogue and other forms of inquiry with groups and teams in order to create collective problem solving and strategic plans.

Create frameworks to determine how decisions made might impact ethical culture, support sustainability practices and serve the organizational purpose.

Identify quality scholarship and research and demonstrate the potential application of emerging leadership theory and knowledge to real world scenarios and simulations.

Requirements

(12 courses; 54 quarter units)

To receive a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, students must complete at least 54 quarter units of graduate work. A total of 13.5 quarter units of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another institution, as it applies to this degree and provided the units were not used in earning another advanced degree. Refer to the section on graduate admission procedures for specific information regarding application and evaluation.

Each student must complete two graduate courses from the School of Business and Management to meet the elective requirement. In lieu of general electives, students can choose to take the Area of Specialization in Community Development. Students must complete all four courses specified in the Specialization.